Hibiscus plant named ‘JBG AH-09’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hibiscus  plant having dark green colored leaves and large, white colored flowers that last for several days on the plant.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Varietal denomination: ‘JBG AH-09’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Hibiscus plant havingthe varietal name ‘JBG AH-09’. The new variety is the result of aplanned breeding program with the purposes of developing Hibiscusrosa-sinensis plants that exhibit whitefly and leaf spot resistance,propagation and production efficiencies, durable and exotic flowers, andabundant flowering. ‘JBG AH-09’ is the result of a cross conducted inGrand Saline, Tex. between Hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties ‘JBG 15005’(female parent, unpatented) and ‘JBG 14006’ (male parent, U.S. PlantPat. No. 30,597). The new variety was selected in February of 2016 inGrand Saline, Tex. and the first asexual reproduction of the new varietywas conducted by semi-hardwood cuttings in June of 2016 in Grand Saline,Tex. ‘JBG AH-09’ has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluatedunder all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary withvariations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘JBG AH-09’ is similar to its female parent in having a mainly whiteflower color with temperature sensitive pink blushing on the petals.‘JBG AH-09’ differs from its female parent in that the new varietyexhibits much thicker, greener, and bigger leaves. Further, the flowersof ‘JBG AH-09’ are more durable than its female parent—lasting from 2-3days versus 1 day. ‘JBG AH-09’ is similar to its male parent in leafshape, alternate leaf arrangement, and upright growth habit. ‘JBG AH-09’differs from its male parent in flower color (white versus red),exhibiting more branching, larger flowers, and more vigorous growth.

When ‘JBG AH-09’ is compared to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis variety‘Starstruck’ (unpatented), both varieties have mainly white coloredflowers and leaf spot pathogen resistance. However, ‘JBG AH-09’ has muchdarker colored foliage and a more coarse growth habit as compared to themounding habit with finer branching of ‘Starstruck’.

The following traits distinguish ‘JBG AH-09’ as a new and distinctcultivar from other Hibiscus varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Thick and dark green colored leaves with a leathery touch;    -   2. Saturated white flower color;    -   3. Large flower size;    -   4. Coarse rooting habit; and    -   5. Stiff, thick, and durable flower petals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic images illustrate the new variety atapproximately four months of age, with the colors being as nearly trueas is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of a flower of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an entire plant of the newvariety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew variety. The plants were grown in greenhouse heated to a minimum ofapproximately 13° C. during the cool season, which is otherwise kept atambient temperatures with a light shade of about 30% in the hot season.The color readings and measurements were taken indoors in Grand Saline,Tex. under fluorescent lighting near natural window light onapproximately four month old plants that were grown in 2 galloncontainers. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. ColourChart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 3^(rd) Edition,except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 12 days at an average of 24° C.-   Time to develop roots: About 50 days at an average of 21-24° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 12-16 weeks in a 1 gallon/20.0 cm diameter container.-   Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to whitefly    (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas    spp.).-   Heat/cold tolerance: Thrives above 24° C., but expires at    temperatures of 0° C. and below.-   Drought tolerance: Moderate to none.-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub.        -   Habit.—Upright; freely branching.        -   Height.—35.6 cm from the top of the pot.        -   Spread.—45.7 cm.        -   Vigor.—High.        -   Rooting.—Coarse and well-branched.-   Stem:    -   -   Number per plant.—18.        -   Length.—Ranging from 30.5-35.0 cm.        -   Width.—0.6 cm.        -   Texture.—Immature: Slightly textured, only prominent veins            can be felt. Mature: Thick, durable, and smooth.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Branch number.—Approximately 14 per stem.        -   Internode length.—2.5-3.8 cm.        -   Color.—Immature: 143B. Mature: 143A.        -   Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Spinose. Length:            1.0 cm. Width: 1.0 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute.            Base: Linear. Margin: Entire. Color: 143A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: Approximately 11.0 cm. Width:            Approximately 11.0 cm.        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Ovate.        -   Shape of apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of base.—Rounded.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth and waxy with a little vein            texture. Lower surface: Smooth and heavily textured from            veins.        -   Margin type.—Crenate.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 139A. Lower surface:            137A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface:            137C.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Palmate. Color: Upper surface: 139A.            Lower surface: 137C.        -   Petiole.—Length: 3.8 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm. Texture: Slightly            textured. Color: 137C.

FLOWERS

-   Buds (described approximately two days before opening):    -   -   Shape.—Elliptical.        -   Diameter.—2.2 cm.        -   Length.—5.1 cm.        -   Color.—137C.-   Natural flowering season: Year round in Grand Saline, Tex.-   Flower type and habit: Single, with slightly overlapping petals.-   Fragrance: None observed.-   Flowers:    -   -   Number per stem.—1.        -   Overall depth.—1.9 cm.        -   Overall diameter.—16.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Rotate.        -   Lastingness.—2-3 days on the plant.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Simple. Length: 10.8 cm.            Width: 10.2 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse, with weak            incisions. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire, with weak undulation            intensity. Texture/appearance: Upper surface: Very smooth.            Lower surface: Slightly textured from the veins. Color: When            opening: Upper surface: 155D. Lower surface: 155A. Fully            opened: Upper surface: 155C. Lower surface: 155A.        -   Calyx.—Form: Fused. Overall length: 3.0 cm. Overall            diameter: 2.2 cm. Sepals/calyx lobes: Number: 5. Shape:            Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture: Smooth            inner surface and the outer surface is slightly textured            from tiny bumps/hair-like extensions. Color: Outer surface:            143B. Inner surface: 144A.        -   Epicalyx.—Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 2.4 cm. Texture: Mostly            smooth. Color: 153A.        -   Bracts.—Not present (see epicalyx).        -   Peduncle.—Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 4.0 mm. Strength: Stiff            and firm. Angle: Acute. Texture: Smooth. Color: 143B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 10.5 cm. Stigma:            Number: 5. Shape: Round. Length: 5.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm.            Color: 21A. Style: Length: 8.3 cm. Width: 5.0 mm. Color:            155D. Ovary: Shape: Ovate. Length: 15.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm.            Color: 155D.        -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number: 97. Position: Just below the            stigma on the style. Anther: Shape: U-shaped. Diameter:            1.0 mm. Color: 23B. Filament: Length: 8.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm.            Color: 155B. Pollen: Color: 23A. Amount (generally): Low to            moderate.

SEEDS

-   Seeds:    -   -   Number.—4.        -   Color.—200A.        -   Length.—4.0 mm.        -   Width.—2.0 mm.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscusplant named ‘JBG AH-09’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.